What does it mean to release the familiar and embrace the new? Do you embrace adventure in your business and your life? It takes a lot of courage to do that and today I’m going to share 5 examples of how you can.
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. but there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.” ~Alan Cohen
I've had the picture above as my Facebook profile picture for at least a year. For the past few days, I have been thinking quite a bit about Alan Cohen's quote. Let's break this down some today.
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new.”
We don't like change. Why is that? Fear, I suppose. Fear of the “what if.” It takes courage and strength to step out of the box.
“But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful.”
This simple statement was really powerful to me! When I think back to the times that I stepped into my power because I recognized my situation was no longer fulfilling the bigger vision…when I recognized I was holding myself back.
Where are you holding yourself back?
- in your mindset?
- your business systems?
- by putting business before lifestyle?
- by not being fully “you”?
“There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.”
I have had a number of days in my life where I chose to change and adventure:
- The day I decided to leave my job. When my son was still in diapers I decided to walk away from my six-figure corporate job that I had loved for years. It no longer fit who I was. Since they had gone public, my ethics were challenged daily. I literally could not go on living that life and still feel authentically connected to who I was and what I wanted my young son to learn about how to be in life. My family and friends thought I was crazy for leaving. We sold our home and moved too! I've never looked back. I love the life we have created now. A life that lets me work with amazingly brilliant people every day and enjoy personal time too.
- The day I chose to invest in myself. I've had a few different days that could have that title. I clearly remember the first time I chose to invest in myself and I clicked the pay button on a $2,500 group coaching program. That was many years ago and I have invested way more than that in other programs since, but that first step was huge for me. It was that step that helped me break free and really expand my business through knowledge and meet great connections.
- The day I decided to double my fees. That day, Kevin Nations told me to double my fees. What? That seemed like crazy talk, but I did it and I was amazed at the result. I actually got more clients. To top it off, they were better clients. Today, I have a number of different program offerings. Clients that are ready to invest in themselves and their transformations pay up to $25,000 and beyond to work with me in my private programs.
- The day I chose self-care. As a woman, it is so easy to take care of everyone else and let our own self-care slip. That was me until I was told that I was dying. BOOM. Perspective drastically changes. I had a choice. I could keep doing what I was doing, or I could make some drastic changes in my life. I chose to change. Today, self-care is a daily component of what I do.
- The day I decided to stop limiting myself. I'm a multi-talented person. I'm not saying that to boast. In fact, for a long time, I looked at it as a curse instead of a blessing. I tried hard to fit myself into the boxes that various coaches tried to put me in. This past year I let that all go. I'm me — fully me. If you've been reading my blog for a while you have probably seen that change emerge because I write about a number of things now that I would not have “fit” into the other box. I've found that I enjoy bringing my different talents to the table with my clients. It adds excitement and adventure to the work we do and the transformations are much more powerful and complete.
I've just listed a few of my change choices above. When I think back to all of the different choices I have made in my life and my business, it is the times that I have stretched myself that have resulted in the biggest leaps of significance.
How are you stretching yourself?
Are you growing or dying on the vine?
I choose growth, not only grow in my business but personally too!
Are you ready?
If you are on the verge of leaping to that next level of success and you know that not only is your business holding you back because it is not leveraged but you know you cannot grow without compromising your time or life, then I invite you to apply for a breakthrough strategy session.
I've had clients tell me that they had a breakthrough even before we met on the phone!
Get Your Message Out!
Until we talk again,
Live Fully — Love Openly — Laugh Often — Leverage Your Brilliance — Connect Authentically — Get Your Message Out — Serve with Impact — Prosper Everyday
Paula D'Andrea says
Powerful post Stephanie! Thanks for using and giving
yourself as great examples of what you’ve moved through.
Sometimes it is as easy as pushing a button or picking
up the phone to move forward 🙂
Happy New Year! Paula
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Paula! Happy New Year to you too! Sometimes it can be that easy.
Ana Goncalves says
Thank you for a very important and inspirational article. This definetly speaks volumes to me right now. I’m finding that the more I step away from the familiar the more I can grow and become, rather than stay as I am. I will be moving to a new country in January 2014 and following my heart which am really looking forward to as it’s been a dream long time coming.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Ana, I’m so glad that this post spoke to you. I find the same thing. Many blessings on your move! Where will you be moving to?
Debra Jason says
I resisted change when I was torn about whether to stay on Kaua`i or move back to Boulder, CO. I kept waiting for “a sign.” And even when the “sign” came & I made a decision to leave, I still had doubts. However, I made the move (and wrote about a change on my blog a few times during that transition).
While I live the magnificent Garden Island, being back in Boulder, CO has been good for me. Many wonderful things have come as a result.
Like Paula said, sometimes it just takes “pushing a button or picking up the phone to move forward.”
Thanks.
~Debra
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Debra – Thank you for sharing your story. I remember when you were working through that choice. I’m so glad that it turned out to be a positive one for you. Watching what you have done since moving back to CO is amazing!
Lisa Mallis says
Great post, Stephanie. I am amazed, once again, at our similar stories. I look at your examples of choosing change and adventure – and I see myself in each example. For some, I’ve chosen. For others, I’m still in the process. But I’m still consistently moving forward! Thanks for the encouragement. Thanks for sharing your journey!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Wonderful to see you here Lisa. Consistently moving forward is a great thing! One of the phrases on my vision wall is “One day at a time.”
Vatsala Shukla says
There is only 1 word to describe your article/post – Inspiring!
I think it is often fear of failure – the what if I am wrong or it is all in my head that prevents us from doing what we need to do, until we get a wake-up call and have to take the steps that we really should have a long time ago.
Season’s Greetings to you and your loved ones, Stephanie!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Thank you so much Vatsala. Fear of failure is certainly one reason that holds us back. Believe it or not, that was not my big hold up. I struggled more with fear of success. There are a number of others that can cause pause for people as well. Tapping into your truth helps you figure out what is holding you up. Wonderful blessings to you and your family this season as well Vatsala, thank you.
Christine Alejandro says
Loved your post Stephanie. It really resonated with me as I look at 2014 and my plans for the new year. I have been holding back not knowing what to do because I am trying to plan around my newly retired spouse who wants to travel and my business is not quite at a place where I can incorporate a lot of travel and still keep things running. I need to just be me and figure out how to juggle the two. Thanks!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Hi Christine – I’m so glad you resonated with what I shared. I know a number of health coaches (mine included) that have been able to figure out how to go mobile with their business, so I know that you’ll be able to get it figured out. Adjusting to a spouse that is retiring is a big adjustment and so is switching how you work. If you’d like, I’d be happy to offer you a business lifestyle breakthrough session to help you get out of your “holding back” pattern.
Maribel Jimenez says
I love this post Stephanie because it’s such a great time to be reflecting on these powerful questions you shared as we come to the end of 2013. I like to look at where I will take it up a notch in 2014 and continue choosing adventure in my life. I like the examples you shared too of areas others can be inspired to change and choose adventure as you put it.
Brenda Adams says
The theme that really stands out for me in your post is that of being present. Really looking at our life, looking at our choices and deciding if this is where we want to be. It can be so easy to slip into autopilot and not pay any conscious attention to the life that we are creating. And make no mistake, we are creating our life in EVERY moment.
Danielle says
Another great post. This reminds me of a quote, although I cannot remember who said it, “one cannot be in a state of growth and protection at the same time.” I love reading post by people like you who chose GROWTH. 🙂
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Thanks Danielle. Great quote.
Kimberly Eldredge says
Thank you Stephanie! And isn’t it amazing how sometimes GOING for the change wasn’t as hard/scary/big deal as you thought at first?
And never underestimate the power of little changes! I was at a seminar recently and it was said by another participant to always be looking back at the little successes or changes — they create the BIG successes or BIG changes!
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Kimberly, It is all about deciding to decide. Once you make the decision you have forward movement. It’s indecision that holds many of us up. You bring up a great point. Recognizing the little changes is important too! As they say “little hinges swing big doors.” That is something I emphasize with my clients, but often forget personally. I have a “Freedom” wall in my office (really big white board dedicated to helping me keep my mindset on track) I think I’ll add a reminder there to celebrate the little steps too.
Tai Goodwin says
Perfect timing on this. I can relate to that day you decided to raise your rates. I am in that phase right now. I raised them until I was a little uncomfortable – stepping out of my comfort zone. This isn’t just a financial growth area – it’s a growing how I value myself and trusting God as I do the work with the people I am supposed to work with. It’s also about finally creating the lifestyle I want instead of exhaustively chasing what I want.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
Tai – yes, Yes, YES!! Exactly. There is a phrase “how you do money is how you do life.” I think there is a lot to be said for that. Knowing that God will give you what you need when you need it is critical to that. Owning your brilliance is critical to that. That includes how you charge and how you design the life you want to live. Love that you are creating your life now and choosing to not chase. I stopped chasing a few years ago. In fact, I tell my prospects that I won’t follow up. They have to be ready to take accountability for themselves. If they are, then I’m their mentor. If they are not, then it is not time.
Tandy Elisala says
Stephanie,
Wow. Thank you for such an inspiring post. I resonated with everything you said for I, too, have made many of the changes you have. In making such drastic changes in our lives we are able to see ourselves for the powerful beings we are. I can feel the personal power oozing from you as I read this post. I also love how you took Alan’s quote and broke it down. Making the decision is half the battle. Once we make up our minds, the universe conspires to help us get there. One step at a time.
Stephanie LH Calahan says
You know Tandy, normally the word “oozing” seems gross to me, but when you said, “I can feel the personal power oozing from you as I read this post.” I learned I could really like that word! (grin) Thank you.
I have found that breaking down quotes and song lyrics is a great way to share my ideas in a post. Glad you liked it.
Yes! Decide to Decide.
Tandy Elisala says
Stephanie, glad I could be of service with the word ‘oozing’ – LOL.
I really do like how you break down quotes and song lyrics and I am inspired to do the same:)